Guard for cars



(No Model.) I 2 SheetS- Sheet 1.

J. CRAIG.

GUARD FOR CARS.

No. 285,975. Patented Oct. 2, 1883..

(No Model.) 2 Sheets--She-et 2.

J. CRAIG.

. GUARD FOR BARS.

No. 285,975. Patented Oct. 2, 1883.

UNITED STATES aTnT Trice.

GUARD Foe CARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 285,975,

dated October 2, 1883,

Application filed February 21, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN CRAIG, of the city and county of San Francisco,State of Californi a, have invented an Improved Guard for (Jars; and Ihereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and cxact descriptionthereof.

My invention relates to a novel guard attachment for cars, the object ofwhich is to prevent runovers and all accidents likely to result fromgetting under the car.

My invention is specially adapted for streetcars of that class commonlyknown as cable cars.

My invention consists in. a frame or other attachment mounted on theaxles, and in a pcculiar front guard and frame, as will hereinafterparticularly appear, reference being made to the accompanying drawings,in. which Figure 1 is a perspective view ofmy invention. Fig. 2 is alongitudinal section.

The introduction and rapid advancement of what are known as cable-roadsand the accidents which continually occur, and which are caused by theseroads, havcmadeit a mat ter of great importance to devise some means ofn'eventing serious results. The cars are usually drawn by a car called adummy, which contains the necessary mechanism for gripping the traveling cable. These dummies have been usually unprovided with any means forpreventing persons knocked down from getting under the wheels, andaccidents of this character frequently occur, because of the power ofthese machines, their speed, and the careless management of theengineers or drivers. The difficulty of providing a suitable guard is inthe want of some place to secure it. lVhatever is adopted must travel ata uniform distance from the track or road-bed, as any variation would beliable to strike small obstructions, or to rise up at the wrong momentand permit the very catastrophe it was intended to avoid. For thisreason nothing can be attached to the body of the car, for this, beingon springs, has a vertical play, which is disadvantageous forthe-purpose in view.

A represents the wheels, and B the axles, of a car-truck.

O is a frame, preferably constructed of iron, consisting of side piecesand cross-pieces, and having boxes 0, in which the axles are journaled.The frame 0 is thus secured upon and naril y until forced up.

supported by the axles without interfering in the least with theirproper function.

The carbody, which I. have not here deemed necessary to show, is mountedupon the trucks in the usual. manner, its springs and boxes be ingplaced as customary.

It will be seen, therefore, that I can attach this frame to any car nowrunning or to be built without making any alteration in the usualconstruction. Being attached to the axles, the frame is steady. The endsof this frame are inclined downwardly untilv they reach within. a shortdistance of the road-bed. These ends are hinged at (l, and are limitedindownward movement, either by the character of the hinge itself, or, as Ihave here shown, by strips I), bolted to the ends above and extendingbelow and under their hinges.

IE 11] represent the end guard. This consists of two bars or platesbolted transversely to the ends of the frame, and projecting far enoughon eachsideto guard thewheels. Their ends are carved in such manner asto throw outwardly away from the wheels any body with which they come incontact on each side. The lower of the bars, forming the guard, isbolted to the hinged ends of the frame, so that they may have an upwardmovement. Springs c bear upon. it above, and hold it down. ordi- Underthis lower bar are mounted rollers f, traveling directly over the railsof the track. The object of this may be thus stated: Gable roads areespecially adapted for hills, and when the car is coming down, as soonas the change of grade is en.- countered, thelower bar, which travels sonear the ground, would be liable to strike; but the rollers f meet thetrack and raise the bar, thus conforming it to the change of grade. Oneof these guards 1G .3 is placed on each end of the frame. I

G represents the side guards. These consist of horizontal plates set onedge and secured to the frame 0 by brackets or arms g. They lie in avertical plane outside of the wheels, and extend to and guard them. Theyare extended to the desired distance from the ground. either throws itoff or catches it up.

If the end guard strikes a: body, it The body cannot get under it eitherin whole or in part, for it is too low, and the wheels will not run overit, thus avoiding a serious accident. If

the body is struck by the side guards, it is thrown to one side. Thisdevice is practicable because it is steady. Being secured to the frameC, it travels at a uniform distance from the road-bed, and will neitherstrike small obstructions nor rise up, thus adapting it for the purposeintended.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by'Lctters Patent, isr 1. In combination with the wheels andaxles of a car, the frame 0, mounted on the axles, said frame havingdownwardly-inelined ends, hinged at d, the guard E, bolted on said ends,the rollers f, under said guard and traveling above the rails of thetrack, and the springs v,

bearing upon said guard, whereby said guard may be raised in whole or inpart at a change of grade, substantially as herein described.

2. In combination with the wheels and axles of a car, the frame 0,mounted on the axles and having downwardly-inclined ends, hinged at d,the stop-plates D, under said ends, the

springs 0 above, and the guard E, bolted on said ends and having rollersf, traveling above the rails, all arranged and operating substantiallyas and for the purpose herein described. In witness whereof I hereuntoset my hand. JOHN CRAIG. [L s.] Vi tnesses LEE D. CRAIG, G. \V. EMERSON.

